Ecuador 1-1 Argentina: A stumble in Quito
Argentina took an early lead in the 4th minute through Aguero, but the visitors couldn't secure the victory as Ecuador equalized in the 17th minute. This result leaves Argentina just 3 points ahead of second-placed Colombia, who beat Peru 2-0 in an earlier match, but having played one more game.
Argentina took an early lead in the 4th minute through Aguero, but the visitors couldn't secure the victory as Ecuador equalized in the 17th minute. This result leaves Argentina just 3 points ahead of second-placed Colombia, who beat Peru 2-0 in an earlier match, but having played one more game.
Messi came on as a substitute but it wasn't enough to help Argentina win.
Goal
Ecuador:Castello 17'
Female:Aguero's 4th penalty
Argentina once again had to leave Messi out of the starting lineup, as he was not fully recovered from injury, in a match where they could have secured qualification early if they had beaten hosts Ecuador. The Tango team had a dream start, opening the scoring in the 4th minute through Aguero. Ecuador's goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez, after blocking Di Maria's long-range shot, fouled Rodrigo Palacio inside the penalty area as the striker was preparing to take a rebound. From the penalty spot, Aguero deceived the Ecuadorian goalkeeper to give Argentina the lead.
But Ecuador showed why they had a six-match winning streak at home before this match when they found an equalizer in the 17th minute. Receiving a free kick from captain Walter Ayovi, Castillo escaped his marker and headed the ball into the net from close range to level the score. Ecuador's equalizer boosted their morale, allowing them to play on equal terms with Argentina for the remainder of the match.
Castillo helped Ecuador snatch a point.
HeroDetermined to win, Barcelona brought Messi on in the 61st minute, but even the Barcelona superstar couldn't break through Ecuador's solid defense. The match ended sadly when Mascherano received a red card for kicking a medical staff member.
With this draw, Argentina has 26 points from 14 matches, only 3 points ahead of second-placed Colombia, who beat Peru 2-0 in an earlier match, but having played one more game. Ecuador remains in third place with 21 points from 12 matches.
Meanwhile, Cavani's solitary goal in the 28th minute secured a victory for Uruguay against hosts Venezuela.
They boosted their hopes of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup by jumping two places to fifth position - where they will play a play-off match against a representative from Asia.
Conversely, Bolivia's World Cup dreams were practically dashed after their 1-3 defeat to Chile. This victory also helped Chile solidify their fourth-place position (guaranteed qualification for Brazil), with a 5-point lead over the play-off spot.
Starting lineup
Ecuador:Dominguez, Paredes, Guagua, Erazo, Ayovi, Castillo, Noboa, Montero, Valencia, Rojas, Caicedo.
Female:Romero; Peruzzi, Basanta, Garay, Fernandez, Rojo; Mascherano, Banega, Di Maria; Palacio. Aguero.
Specific results:
Colombia2 - 0 Peru
Ecuador 1 - 1 Argentina
Venezuela 0 - 1Uruguay
Chile3 - 1 Bolivia
South American World Cup Qualifiers Standings
No. | TEAM | Match | T | H | B | BT | BB | students | Point |
1 | Hero | 13 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 25 | 9 | +16 | 26 |
2 | Colombia | 12 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 21 | 7 | +14 | 23 |
3 | Ecuador | 12 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 12 | +5 | 21 |
4 | Chile | 13 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 21 | 21 | 0 | 21 |
5 | Uruguay | 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 18 | 21 | -3 | 16 |
6 | Venezuela | 13 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 14 | -4 | 16 |
7 | Peru | 12 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 12 | 17 | -5 | 14 |
8 | Bolivia | 13 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 15 | 24 | -9 | 10 |
9 | Paraguay | 12 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 9 | 23 | -14 | 8 |
According to Bongdaplus - National Team